Michael Thompson has been convicted of raping and murdering his estranged wife, Kimberley, in August of last year. He was also found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice for attempting to stage her death to look like a suicide at their Northampton home.
Jurors heard Thompson, 56, watched sex videos and became agitated over Kimberley's new relationship and a financial settlement demand as part of their divorce proceedings before committing the crime. He then placed empty spirit bottles and pill packets near her body, sent social media messages from her phone suggesting she had been drinking, and arranged personal items before calling authorities to report her unresponsive.
Following Thompson's conviction, details surrounding the death of his former partner, Rhonda Anderson, 25 years prior, have come to light. Anderson, 29, was found electrocuted in her bathtub in July 2000 with a mains-powered radio in the water. A coroner at the time ruled her death an accident resulting from a "foolish mistake" of bringing the radio into the bath area.
However, the circumstances of Anderson's death have been re-examined in light of Thompson's conviction. Neighbors at the time expressed suspicions, with one postman describing the scene as "suspicious" and noting the narrow ledge of the bath made it unlikely for the radio to have fallen accidentally. Another neighbor recalled Anderson mentioning she planned to relax in the bath with wine and music shortly before her death, and advised her against bringing the radio into the bathroom.
Northamptonshire Police confirmed that they had launched a fresh murder investigation into Anderson's death after concerns were raised. Thompson was arrested on suspicion of murder, and a fresh appeal for information was issued. However, the investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to proceed further, and no further action will be taken against Thompson in relation to Anderson's death.
During legal arguments in Thompson's trial for his wife's murder, it was revealed that he had allegedly used Anderson's death to threaten and intimidate Kimberley Thompson. Friends of Kimberley Thompson told police that she had expressed fears that her husband would kill her and "get away with it as he has done before," if she left him. Thompson denied ever threatening his wife.
Thompson, a former doorman and amateur boxer, has two children with Anderson and a son and daughter with Kimberley Thompson. His children with Anderson reportedly remained supportive of him during the court proceedings. Thompson is awaiting sentencing.